Voting by mail is a healthy option because you vote at home. If you go out at all, it's only to mail or drop off your ballot.

Voting by mail is also called absentee voting in New York.

Ballot tracking may be available. Contact your elections office for more information.

Healthy tips for voting by mail in New York

• If you are dropping off your ballot at a mailbox, drop box, or voting location, follow local public health guidelines. Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going on Election Day itself. Early voting methods vary, so check the options available in your area.

Healthy tips for early voting in New York

• Follow instructions for healthy voting at your early voting location.
• Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
• If you can, go when the early voting center will not be as busy, usually mid-morning or early-afternoon.

When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Voting centers also have accessible voting systems and language access options.

Healthy tips for voting in person on Election Day in New York

• Follow instructions for healthy voting at your in-person voting location.
• Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
• If you can, go when the polling place will not be as busy, usually mid-morning or early-afternoon.

The best way to learn exactly what options are available to you is at your state and local elections office.

• Visit the state election information page for the accessible options required in your state.
• Visit or call your local elections office for details of hours and locations.

Accessible voting by mail in New York

If you can mark, verify and cast a paper mail-in ballot privately and independently, voting by mail is a healthy option, especially if you can use a drop-off location to return your ballot.

For the November 8, 2022 general election in New York:

• An excuse is required to vote by mail.
• Postage is pre-paid, so you don’t need a stamp.
• Ballot tracking may be available. Contact your elections office for more information.

Accessible tools for voting by mail

New York has an accessible vote-by-mail program, Accessible Electronic Absentee Ballot, that allows voters with disabilities to receive and mark a mail-in ballot electronically. You may have to request access to the program. To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically you:

• Download an electronic ballot
• Mark the ballot on your personal computer, with your own assistive technology
• Print the ballot and voter’s signature form
• Sign the form, and seal the ballot in an envelope
• Return it by mail or in-person

Be sure to check with your local elections office for information about how to use the accessible voting by mail program and information about additional options for dropping off your ballot.

Accessible voting in person

For the November 8, 2022 general election in New York:

• Polling places are open on Election Day.

Federal law requires that every in-person voting location has at least 1 accessible voting system. Look for information about how to use the accessible voting systems on the state accessibility information page or contact your local elections office.

Based on changing public health guidance and state policy, voting locations may change before the election or several polling places may be consolidated into one larger location. Check your local election office for up to date information about voting locations and opening hours.

If you have a choice of when to vote, in-person voting locations are usually less crowded mid-morning or early afternoon.

Voters with disabilities may be able to use an accessible voting system at the elections office before Election Day.

Other accessible voting options

Ask your local elections office about whether these accessible voting options are available:

• Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program.
• Curbside or drive-up voting, so you don’t have to get out of your car.
• Election and voting information in large print, audio, or Braille versions.
• Any requirements to have someone assist you in marking and casting your ballot.